Day 2 in Sarlat

IIt was a rainy day yesterday.  While we were eating breakfast in our apartment, we could hear thunder and it seemed quite fitting for the medieval atmosphere of the village.  Claudia's sister Gillian is here with her partner Dennis. They have been travelling around France as well and Sarlat is where they decided to meet up with us.  It's been nice to share the experience of Sarlat with them.  

We met them in the morning at the markets for coffee and despite the rain which was intermittent, we loved wandering through the stalls of the most amazing and delicious food.  Foi Gras (duck liver pate) is the big claim to fame of the Dordogne area, so it's everywhere!  It's not my favourite thing in the world, but it was at every second market stall and quite expensive.  Apart from that there was loads of cheese, fruit, sausage, pastries, breads etc.  We bought ourselves some yummy fare for lunch which we enjoyed with a lovely glass of red.  It was all very French!! 

After lunch, Claudia and I took the map of the village with us (the roads wind around and it'd be easy to get lost) so that we could explore everything properly.  There are little laneways everywhere and each one has a surprise, like a gallery or shop or a cafe/restaurant.  Once again we found ourselves in awe each time we rounded a bend because of the age of the buildings or the gardens or something!  We took many, many photos but don't worry, I won't upload them all!! 

After a wee rest in the late afternoon, we met Gill and Dennis for dinner where the three of them enjoyed some foi gras for starters and I waited to have a main of lamb with the most amazing buttery, garlicky potatoes I've ever eaten! I was trying not to consider the amount of butter that was in the dish! The others enjoyed fish and duck. I hope you're all enjoying this detail!! 

Despite the beauty of this apartment, the bed is bloody hard and the pillows are flat and awful, so our sleep hasn't been great! We're hoping that the bed in our next village is better!! Speaking of which, we leave tomorrow for Uzes, and we're driving - EEEK!! 

Markets in the rain

The view of the markets from Gill and Dennis' apartment

This is taken from the back window of Gill's apartment

Dennis and Gill with Claudia

Claudia buying our lunch fare!

These little empty grottos are everywhere.  In the 1100's the people of Sarlat prayed to the Virgin Mary to be saved from the raids and they were saved, which is why the buildings are so well preserved.  As a result there are little grottos which once held statues of Mary all around the village.